Briere likely to miss first two games

Philadelphia Flyers' Danny Briere celebrates his goal during the second period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sunday, April 22, 2012, in Philadelphia. The Flyers won 5-1 to advance. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)

VOORHEES, N.J. - Danny Briere is dealing with a fracture in his left wrist, but after Briere had the injury re-evaluated Monday, general manager Paul Holmgren termed the report he received on the injury as “something positive.”

“It’s a little further along in a good way than what we had initially anticipated,” Holmgren said. “We’ll see how it is tomorrow and the next day. It probably changes at least my thoughts of him being out for an extended period of time. It might not be as long as what we originally thought.”

Actually, from a public perspective, it’s worse. That’s because Briere returned from Germany after getting a diagnosis there of a sprain. Holmgren confirmed Monday that Briere’s wrist was fractured, though he described it as “more of a hairline fracture.”

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“It’s healing up,” Holmgren said. “We’ll just take it a day at a time.”

Holmgren gave a best guess of Briere - who in a text to another reporter confirmed the healing process was going well - likely missing the first two games of the season, which begins Saturday at Wells Fargo Center with an afternoon matinee against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Initially, the Briere injury could impact coach Peter Laviolette’s approach with his talented group of forwards.

With Jaromir Jagr going to Dallas via free agency, the Flyers’ most visible hole is at right wing on the top line. Holmgren indicated Jakub Voracek would be a likely fit there, but recently it was easy to guess that perhaps Brayden Schenn could add a dose more punch to that spot instead.

Laviolette made no secret of that wish when camp opened Sunday, having Schenn practice next to center Claude Giroux and left wing Scott Hartnell. Things have gone swimmingly with that experiment so far ... you know, through two whole days of practice.

But Schenn was prepared for the opening of this brief camp, since he’d played in Adirondack as a top-line center during the lockout, and led (and still does lead) the Phantoms in scoring with 13 goals and 33 points.

“He’s a talented kid,” Laviolette said of Schenn. “He was a real strong offensive producer for us last year; in the minors ... he became the leading scorer down there. There’s been a progression that will lead to more of an opportunity for him.”

Much of what the 21-year-old Schenn knows is centered around a center’s responsibilities. Yet the second-year Flyers forward doesn’t see that as much of an issue.

“I think it’s a good thing to be a versatile player and play all over the place,” Schenn said. “Whether that’s at center, left wing or right wing. ... Getting the opportunity to play with Giroux and Hartnell, I’m looking forward to it and I’ll make the most of it. It’s an opportunity for me to play with one of the top players in the league (in Giroux) and Hartnell is coming off a great year. So I’ll just try to blend in, find chemistry as quickly as possible and hopefully step up in that role.”

Schenn might have to wait a little on that, since Briere will at least initially need fill-in help at his second-line center’s spot.

“I’ll just take it one day at a time, not look too far ahead and whatever happens, happens,” Schenn said of his possibly changing role. “But for me, I want to go in there and win that (top-line) spot and hopefully stay there.”

Schenn did much of his work during his rookie season with the Flyers in the middle, but did move around on occasion. Asked where he feels most comfortable, he said, “If you would have asked me that a year or two ago, I would have said center. But I’ve played a lot of wing the past year, whether it’s right or left, as well as in the middle. So I feel comfortable wherever, and I’m just going to make the most of this opportunity.”

“As you mature your role gets expanded,” Laviolette said. “That’s an opportunity and life’s about what you do with opportunities. Brayden’s a real good hockey player. He’s real smart offensively and we’re hoping that line can form some chemistry.”

NOTES: At one moment in practice Monday, Brayden Schenn found himself go 1-on-1 with newcomer defenseman Luke Schenn, a longtime nemesis. “He always knows all my moves,” Brayden said. “But it’s a pretty cool feeling looking up when you’re going down (the ice) and it’s your brother you’re playing (against) in practice.” ... At least three players targeted for the Phantoms were put on waivers, including Brian Boucher and utility defender Danny Syvret. Both were expected to clear and play in Adirondack. With Boucher heading there, Holmgren said it was a possibility that either of current Phantoms goalies Scott Munroe or Cal Heeter would be loaned to play elsewhere. ... Holmgren on when he saw the official NHL schedule this week: “I opened the email and looked at the schedule, and I was like, ‘Holy... fill in the blank.’ But it is what it is. We all have the same thing.”